Plantains

a type of banana cultivar that are larger and firmer than typical dessert bananas. They are starchy rather than sweet when unripe, with a green to yellow skin that turns black as they ripen further. Plantains are a staple food in many tropical regions, particularly in Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. They can be cooked at various stages of ripeness: green plantains are often fried or boiled and served as a starchy side dish, while ripe plantains (yellow to black) are sweeter and can be fried, baked, or grilled as a sweet snack or dessert. Plantains are rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin A and vitamin C), and minerals like potassium.